After disappointment of losing the week 6 encounter with Genoa which included yet another sending off, this time Romagnoli, the season risks becoming a lost one if results don’t improve soon. Being six points behind co-leaders Fiorentina and Inter may not seem like much in October but with games against Napoli the gap can grow quickly.

Balotelli is not amongst the 22 called up players for this game and misses through what seems to be a muscular problem. Honda has been sick with fever most of the week but makes the squad, however he is unlikely to start. Honda’s attacking midfield position is probably going to Bonaventura playing behind a reunited Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca. The midfield tweaking and tinkering is likely to continue with Kucka and Bertolacci playing either side of Montolivo. It remains to be seen if a midfield consisting of these three players can provide enough cover for the back four facing the likes of Insigne and Callejon

The defense will be changed again too with the return of Antonelli pushing De Sciglio to the right at the expense of Calabria. Abate is close to returning but is not yet available. Ely should get the nod in place of the aforementioned suspended Romagnoli.